2012.4.26 TICKET
An encore pansori, or narrative singing, performance of Lee Ja-ram’s “Ukchuk-ga,” in which Lee plays more than 15 characters, will be held at the LG Arts Center from May 11 to 13 and May 16 to 17. See MUSIC, left. Provided by the organizer
MUSIC
MORRISSEY
AX-Korea
May 6: British rock icon Morrissey will perform his first concert in Korea this May. The former lead singer of the Smiths - one of the most successful rock bands in the U.K. during the 1980s - embarked on a solo career when the group split in 1987.
Morrissey released seven albums from 1988 to 1997 before taking a seven-year hiatus, and his 2004 album “You Are the Quarry” reached the No. 2 spot on the U.K. Albums Chart and No. 11 on the Billboard 200 Albums Chart. Morrissey’s sound has had a marked influence on groups such as the Killers, the Stone Roses and Radiohead.
The concert starts at 7 p.m.
Tickets are 99,000 won.
Gwangnaru Station, line No. 5, exit 2
(02) 332-3277, www.ax-korea.com
MUSIQ SOULCHILD
AX-Korea
May 11: American singer-songwriter Musiq Soulchild is set to show off his diverse range of talents in Korea this spring, performing his music that spans a number of genres, including R&B, soul, funk, alternative rock, blues, jazz, gospel and hip-hop. Musiq started his career hopping around jazz clubs and performing on the streets. He added “Soulchild” to his stage name in respect of late soul artists such as Stevie Wonder, James Brown, Patti LaBelle and Ray Charles, all of whom were major influences on his work.
The concert starts at 8 p.m.
Tickets are 99,000 won.
Gwangnaru Station, line No. 5, exit 2
(02) 3143-5156, www.ax-korea.com
UKCHUK-GA
LG Arts Center
May 11-13, May 16-17: Lee Ja-ram once again takes to the stage with Ukchuk-ga, which was inspired by Brecht’s “The Mother Courage and Her Children.” Lee molded it into a new version of pansori, or narrative singing. Ukchuk-ga is a story about how a devastating and brutal war provokes many feelings such as fear, sorrow and sympathy. Lee wrote the script, composed the songs by herself and plays more than 15 characters. Each has a different voice and personality, but she nails them perfectly. Lee has also been invited to perform at the Theatre National Populaire in France and the Hungarian Theatre of Cluj in Romania.
The concert starts at 8 p.m. on weekdays and at 5 p.m. on weekends.
Tickets cost 50,000 won.
Yeoksam Station, line No. 2, exit 7
1544-1555, www.lgart.com
PIETER WISPELWEY: BACH CELLO SUITES
Seoul Arts Center, Concert Hall
May 15: Dutch Cellist Pieter Wispelwey will perform all six Bach Cello Suites, the most recognizable solo compositions for the instrument, when he comes to Seoul. Wispelwey is notable for his individually unique technique that he developed after studying with Dicky Boeke and Anner Bylsma in Amsterdam, Paul Katz in U.S. and Willian Pleeth in the U.K. The talented musician has had numerous concerts all over the world. To name a few, he performed at the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Sydney Symphony, the BBC Symphony Orchestra and the Budapest Festival Orchestra throughout his career. Wispelwey has been recording classical music with Channel Classical Records since 1990, and he has released 32 albums at last count. At the show in Seoul, he will play with his Giovanni Battista Guadagnini cello, which dates from the 1760s.
The concert starts at 8 p.m.
Tickets range from 30,000 won to 100,000 won.
Nambu Bus Terminal Station, line No. 3, exit 5
1544-1555, ticket.interpark.com
LEGENDARY I MUSICI 60TH
Seoul Arts Center, Concert Hall
June 15: I Musici, the Italian chamber orchestra, is celebrating its 60th anniversary with a Seoul show. The orchestra was formed in 1952 by 12 musicians who graduated from notable Italian music school Santa Cecilia Conservatory of Music. The group is well known for its interpretations of Baroque, Antonio Vivaldi and Tomaso Albinoni. The interpretation of Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons” is especially loved by many. I Musici’s leader Antonio Anselmi will play a “Four Seasons” solo, and the orchestra will play Ennio Morricone’s “Morricone Suite.”
The concert starts at 8 p.m.
Tickets range from 60,000 won to 140,000 won.
Nambu Bus Terminal Station, line No. 3, exit 5
1588-7890, www.sac.or.kr
THEATER
HAMLET STORY
Modern Post Theater
To Sunday: Shakespeare’s “Hamlet,” his longest play, is being performed by Theater Gabyun for 10 days. In recreating the Shakespearian masterpiece, director Lee Seoung-gu purposely chose actors of widely differing ages - from eight years old to 58 years old - to highlight the contrast in various scenes. Hamlet is played by Kim Dong-hyun, who has also appeared in “Sea Without Water” (2009), “Proof” (2010) and “Happiness” (2011-12). In a turmoil of conspiracy and authority, Hamlet struggles to find his way, and audience members may find they can quite easily relate their lives to the themes of the timeless classic.
Performances start at 8 p.m. on weekdays; at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturdays; and at 4 p.m. on Sundays.
Tickets cost 25,000 won.
Hyehwa Station, line No. 4, exit 2
1588-0184, ticket.auction.co.kr
DAS MUSICAL ELISABETH
Blue Square Musical Hall
To May 13: This musical hits Korea for the first time after having been translated into seven languages and presented in 10 countries since its debut in Vienna in 1992.
The musical traces the life of Elisabeth, the Empress of Austria, who longs for love and freedom from her restrictive life.
Performances start at 8 p.m. Tuesdays to Fridays and at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
Tickets range from 30,000 won to 150,000 won.
Hangangjin Station, line No. 6, exit 2
1544-1555, ticket.interpark.com
RIVERSIDE CABARET
Gangdong Arts Center, Grand Theater
May 15 to 26: Based on the life of notable singer Bae Ho during the 1960s and ‘70s, the production hopes to bridge the gap between the younger and older generations by connecting audiences through music.
Although Bae passed away at age 29, Koreans still remember him as a symbol of the era.
Performances start at 8 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays; at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Wednesdays; at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturdays; and at 4 p.m. on Sunday.
Tickets range from 30,000 won to 40,000 won.
Godeok Station, line No. 5, exit 4
1544-1555, www.gangdongarts.or.kr
CARMEN MOTA’S ALMA DE FUEGO
LG Arts Center
May 23 to 26: Spanish dancer and choreographer Carmen Mota returns to Korea with her troupe to stage the flamenco dance musical “Alma de Fuego” (“Soul of Fire”). More than 30 years ago, Mota created the choreographic masterpiece that mingles the core strength of Spanish dance with contemporary tones, and with that performance, she has built the success of the troupe.
The concert starts at 8 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday; at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Friday; and at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday.
Tickets range from 55,000 won to 150,000 won.
Yeoksam Station, line No. 2, exit 7
1544-1555, www.lgart.com
TRADITIONAL PERFORMANCE
JAMI
Samcheonggak, Ilwhadang Concert Hall
To June 27: The word “jami” means “delicious food that is also nutritious” as well as “fun” in the dialect of Jeju Island, which is the country’s southernmost island. Admission to the show also includes a fare of Korean dishes and traditional tea.
Performances are on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays at noon.
Tickets range from 50,000 won to 70,000 won.
Anguk Station, line No. 3, exit 1
1544-1555, ticket.interpark.com
Event information is culled from the Korea Tourism Organization and other online sources.
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
To write comments, please log in to one of the accounts.
Standards Board Policy (0/250자)